Please share and encourage your team to subscribe | | 18th Annual ALIGN Conference "Strengthening Today; Building Tomorrow" | | This two-day learning event Feb 5 - 6, 2026, Fantasyland Hotel, Edmonton, is designed for employees in the human services sector. It includes presentations tailored for senior leaders, board members, supervisors, and front-line workers. | | Feb 5th Jody Urquhart- Motivational speaker & former comedian, presents This Would Be Funny… If It Wasn’t Happening To Me! Navigate Change by Mastering Human Connection. Learn More | | |
Feb 5th Curtis Slater - Executive Director for The PREP Society, presents Navigating an Uncertain Future: Leading with Hope, Humanity, and Adaptability.
Learn More
| | Feb 6th Chubby Cree Indigenous Hand Drum Group. Chubby Cree is not just a drum group; they are a movement for healing and cultural vibrancy, using their art to uplift communities and inspire hope.
Learn More | | |
Feb 6th Sarain Frank Soonias
Cree and Ojibwe Writer and Artist presents "Healing & Resistance Through Poetics." Sarain shares reflections from his poetry collection. Learn More
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We can’t wait to connect, learn, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our sector together.
See you at there!
| | WEBINARS - ALIGN is excited to host Nicolette Miller, Senior Associate at Stack’d Consulting | | ALIGN COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE | | Well-Being Community of Practice (CoP)
Weds. Dec 10th 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (ZOOM)
The Well-Being Community of Practice (CoP) is intended for service providers who are currently implementing the ALIGN Association’s Well-Being Toolkit.
Please Note: CoP meetings will now be held on the second Wednesday of each month November 2025 - April 2026. If you are currently implementing the ALIGN Well-Being Toolkit and would like to join this CoP session please email:wellbeing@alignab.ca indicating your intention to attend, and we will send you the ZOOM link. | | |
December
Agencies using the Well-Being Toolkit are invited to participate in creating a provincial story of impact. This is your opportunity to show how child and youth well-being is supported across Alberta and how practice is evolving over time.
What to Do:
- Share stories of impact for each domain of well-being.
- Self-rate outcomes for children, youth, caregivers, and your agency using the scale provided on page 60 of the Well-Being Toolkit.
Why It Matters:
- Your contributions help us answer key questions:
- How is well-being growing for children and families across diverse programs?
- How are agencies progressing collectively?
Our Approach:
Inspired by the Indigenous tradition of lobsticks as wayfinding markers and winter counts as records of change, we invite you to:
- Wayfinding with Lobsticks: Leave a story of abundance at each domain and learn from others.
- Self-Rating: Provide scores that allow us to aggregate data and track progress over time.
Together, we will build a shared map of impact and growth for children, youth, caregivers, and agencies across Alberta. Directions and how to, can be found on page 60 of the Well-Being Toolkit.
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Showcasing the ALIGN Well-Being Toolkit - Fall 2025
ALIGN Association of Community Services recently presented at two major national conferences this fall allowing us the opportunity to connect with leaders, practitioners, and partners from across Canada as we continue to share the impact of ALIGN’s Well-Being Toolkit.
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ALIGN OHS Community of Practice
Join us December 2, 2025, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. (Virtual)
Our Community of Practice brings together professionals from the sector to share knowledge, tools, and strategies for improving the quality and consistency of incident investigations. Regular meetings, case study reviews, and best practice sharing are central to building a learning-focused, safety-oriented community. ZOOM Link
| | ALIGN is a Proud Partner in Strengthening Safety Across Alberta’s Child Intervention Sector | | Alberta’s government is partnering with ALIGN Association of Community Services and the Continuing Care Safety Association to establish occupational health and safety programs for child intervention agencies providing facility-based care, enhanced workplace safety through trauma-informed and responsive safety practices, regulatory compliance education and other critical safety measures. Learn More | | |
Top Ten Considerations for Selecting Nonprofit Board Members (ALIGN Blog)
Attracting and recruiting the right board members is vital to the success and sustainability of a human service agency. Effective board members bring valuable networks, credibility, and resources that can open doors to new partnerships and funding opportunities. They also provide critical oversight and accountability, helping to maintain transparency, ethical standards, and trust with stakeholders. Ultimately, a strong and diverse board empowers the agency to deliver greater impact and long-term stability for the communities it serves. Here are the top ten considerations to keep in mind when selecting nonprofit board member Read Here
| | ALIGN'S INDIGENOUS ONLINE ADVENT CALENDAR | | The Indigenous Christmas Advent calendar starts today! Please share with your colleagues, caregivers, friends, and family! | | On each day you can open an online door to find a wonderful cultural Christmas surprise. Listen to Christmas carols sung in traditional languages, learn how to make Christmas ornaments with natures supplies and follow along with Indigenous Christmas read aloud stories and more.
This is a great opportunity for kids and families both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous to learn more about traditions and culture this December. | | |
NEW! Introducing ALIGN's Network & Know: Member's Spotlight.
At ALIGN, we believe every member brings unique strengths, insights, and resources to our sector. Our Network & Know: Member Spotlight series introduces organizations you’ll want to know—not just for who they are, but for how they can support, collaborate, and grow with you. It’s all about building stronger relationships, sharing valuable resources, and celebrating the people who help make ALIGN thrive.
This is a great way to showcase your work, share your impact with fellow members, and inspire collaboration across our network. Video presentations are welcome and encouraged! Learn more
| | CAREGIVER RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN | | |
The Government of Alberta Just Like You Caregiver Recruitment Campaign celebrates the incredible impact of foster and kinship caregivers and encourages more Albertans to open their homes and hearts to children and youth in need.
In addition to the Government of Alberta’s foster and kinship options, many accredited community agencies across the province are also actively recruiting and supporting foster caregivers.
If you would like to explore fostering through a local agency or learn which Foster Care Agencies operate in your area, please contact ALIGN Mailto:info@alignab.ca and we will help connect you!
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Alberta Budget 2026 Survey
It’s time to make your voice heard. The Government of Alberta has officially opened consultations for Budget 2026, offering a crucial opportunity for nonprofits and human-serving organizations to speak directly to decision-makers about the realities facing communities.
| | Whether it’s advocating for sustainable funding, addressing workforce pressures, improving access to mental health supports, or strengthening services for children, youth, families, and vulnerable populations—your insight is essential. Take the survey, attend town hall or send in a submission from your organization. Learn More | | Did you miss out on watching Ahkameyimok: “To Persevere”? Not to worry, the documentary highlighting the work done by Bent Arrow within the community of Edmonton will begin streaming on TELUS Optik TV on Tues., Dec. 2nd. Ahkameyimok: “To Persevere” has received worldwide recognition, including nominations across the globe. Stay tuned- on December 9th it will be available for everyone on YouTube! | | | | | |
A New issue of the ECF “Thrive” Highlights the Benefits of Organizational Partnerships.
This issue highlights the power of coming together with purpose, including articles on several ALIGN member organizations that are building relationships that strengthen communities, enrich services, and ensure families receive the support they need to thrive, offering valuable insights into collaborative approaches that truly make sense—and make a difference.
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View THRIVE to read the following and additional articles
• ABC Head Start Society and Terra Centre for Teen Parents unite to protect early childhood education, offering wraparound support for young families. Article: Space to Bloom Two local charities team up to
• Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society, Boyle Street Community Services, and Islamic Family build bridges between Indigenous and newcomer communities.
| | The ‘Four Stories’ Approach: A Conceptual Clinical Model for Moving Families and Caregivers Beyond Trauma Little Warriors, in collaboration with the Scientific and Clinical Council, has successfully published a new article: “The ‘Four Stories’ Approach: A Conceptual Clinical Model for Moving Families and Caregivers Beyond Trauma,” in the Clinical Social Work Journal! | Recording - Transparency in advocacy: Understanding your obligations under the Lobbying Act Learn how federal lobbying rules apply to non-profit organizations in Canada, including when registration is required in the Registry of Lobbyists and what ethical standards must be followed. Discover how advocacy and communications with federal officials may trigger legal obligations, and how to comply. | |  | CSA Seeking Feedback on Draft of Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Standards The new edition expected to be released on December 16, 2025. This voluntary standard provides a framework for organizations to create a psychologically healthy and safe workplace by outlining requirements for prevention, promotion, and guidance. It aims to help businesses develop and maintain a systematic approach to mental health in the workplace. | |
Newcomers and Suicide Prevention Toolkit
CMHA Alberta and the Centre for Suicide Prevention are offering a free, downloadable toolkit about newcomers and suicide prevention. The toolkit includes information like stats, warning signs, risk and protective factors.
| | Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) The Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant (CAPG) has replaced the Canada-Alberta Job Grant. Canada Eligible employers can get government funding to help employees and unemployed Albertans access training opportunities. Open for Application Now | | ALIGN member agencies get free and unlimited career posting access on the ALIGN Career page! See what positions are available and apply now. | | Stay up-to-date with ALIGN & Sector events, news and resources. | | | | |
